one early test of democratic unity and at risk members may come with dianne feinstein's weapons ban which they find lukewarm in advancing. >> i'll take a look at that as i've indicated to you. we'll have votes on all kinds of issues dealing with guns. i think would be well advised to read the legislation. >> reid has shielded his members on budgets since 2009 but democrats have promised to pass one this year. the house speaker is prepared for bruising debates ahead. >> the process was designed to be inefficient and difficult. there is a a lot of the scar tissue that carries over with these bills. it's up to the congress with how to deal with them. >> for reid and his democrats, it will be a difficult balance trying to be loyal to the white house and worrying about self-preservation. too many controversial votes could lead to big losses in 2014 and put reid into the minority. >> chris: mike, thanks for. >> this afternoon we leernd that marco rubio will give response to president obama's state of the union address. tune in next tuesday for special coverage. president obama has nominated sal